Tributes have been paid to an ‘extremely popular’ secondary school teacher who tragically died while out cycling this week.

Richard Wade, 64, had been a staff member at Bourne Academy for 22 years – having joined in January 1995 when it was The Robert Manning School.

Mr Wade, a modern languages specialist and keen cyclist and guitar player, is said to have suffered a heart attack.

In a message sent to staff and pupils on Tuesday, Bourne Academy headteacher Laurence Reilly wrote: “It is with sadness that I inform you that our colleague, Mr Richard Wade, died suddenly yesterday.

“Richard had a fatal heart attack whilst out cycling. A motorist stopped, tried to resuscitate him and contacted the emergency services, but to no avail.

“Richard started at what was then The Robert Manning School in January 1995 and so was in his 22nd year at the school.

“He was extremely popular with staff and students alike. Richard was always calm and friendly; I can never remember him shouting at any students and yet he never had any behaviour issues in any class he taught or when he covered the lesson for an absent colleague.

“We have lost a much loved and respected member of our school community.”

Two books of condolence have been opened at the school – one for staff and one for pupils. There are also plans for a permanent memorial at the school, subject to discussions with his wife.

Mr Reilly added: “Richard was always on hand to support colleagues and students alike when they had problems.

“He was a very optimistic and cheerful character who added so much to the life of the school, one example of which was playing guitar in the staff band during our end of term assemblies.

“Students past and present have paid tributes to Mr Wade on social networking. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all of us who have been part of this school over the past two decades.”

Mr Wade began his teaching career in 1976 and previously worked in Basildon; Burnley; Paderborn and Weeze in Germany.

He lived in Peterborough and had been vice-chairman of the governing body at the city’s Thomas Deacon Academy for four years.

Principal Geoff Walls said he would be sadly missed, adding: “Richard was a very active, exceptional governor. He had a real passion for education.

“He was extremely supportive personally when I joined the school three and a half years ago.

“We were all very saddened by the news and have sent a message to his family to say they are in our thoughts and prayers.”

Spinal and cartilage surgery should have put Spalding market furniture stallholder Ian Johnson out of the running for a marathon.

But he’s in serious training to spend his 54th birthday on April 17 taking part in a road run through the fens of South Lincolnshire in the new Boston Marathon.

Ian, from Swineshead, began raising money for the charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer in 1999 after losing a cousin to the disease.

His fundraising received a fresh impetus when his youngest sister, Joanne Wilkins (44), was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014.

Ian said: “Joanne has undergone surgery, endured six months of chemotherapy, plus three weeks of radiotherapy, at Lincoln County Hospital.

“Despite this intensive and aggressive treatment she still required a double mastectomy.”

Joanne is battling through with the same fighting spirit she showed as a premature baby weighing just 3lbs.

“The local priest christened Joanne in her incubator as she was not expected to survive,” said Ian. “She did survive and continues to battle her way through life whatever the challenges.”

Ian knows he will have aches and pains when he runs but he’s prepared to put up with them because the cash he raises will make a difference to someone’s life.

“I hope to survive it as opposed to running it competitively,” said Ian, who did a three-hour training run on Sunday. “I shouldn’t actually be running at all. All I am doing is absorbing pain for longer on these runs. There’s no enjoyment in it whatsoever and even the scenery isn’t a distraction. The reward comes from the knowledge that whatever money you raise makes a difference to somebody’s life.”

When aged 25, Ian ran the London Marathon in 1988, completing the distance in 3hrs 23mins, and has also run a couple of Boston-Skegness Seabank Marathons.

He hopes for a sub four-hour run around South Lincolnshire, but the main goal is achieving his £1,000 fundraising target for his charity, renamed Breast Cancer Now.

Ian’s most recent events for the charity were a Tour de France 120-mile bike ride and doing an equivalent Mount Everest climb by going up the steps of Boston Stump 200 times (29.035ft).

• Donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ian-johnson44

Defender Jason Field is back in Spalding United’s squad for the rest of the season.

He had returned to Boston Town on a loan spell but the Tulips have recalled him.

Field could go straight into the team for Saturday’s home game against second-placed Witton Albion because left-back Adam Jackson is unavailable.

Conor Higginson is set to miss out as fellow midfielder Nathan Whitehead and centre-half Neal Spafford both start suspensions.

Boss Chris Rawlinson said: “It’s a chance for others to come in and we’ve got cover in the squad.

“I don’t want to bring in someone and mess people around now. I would prefer to have players here for the last 10 league games and, hopefully, the play-offs.”

Striker Leon Mettam – who has scored seven goals in four appearances – is fully fit after an ankle injury.

His loan spell from King’s Lynn Town would include the play-offs if Spalding finish in the top five.

Rawlinson added: “He had a week to get over the injury because two games were postponed and he looked very sharp in training on Tuesday night.”

New dates have already been arranged for the away games with Leek Town and Witton which were called off due to waterlogged pitches last week.

Rawlinson said: “It’s very difficult to find a venue for training on Saturday because our reserves play at home.

“So I went to watch last weekend’s game between Newcastle Town and Belper Town. We trained on Tuesday and Thursday.”

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Saturday: Witton Albion (H)

March 18: Belper Town (H)

March 25: Leek Town (A)

April 1: Stocksbridge Park Steels (A)

April 6: Witton Albion (A)

April 8: Kidsgrove Athletic (A)

April 11: Basford United (H)

April 15: Bedworth United (H)

April 17: Lincoln United (A)

April 22: Northwich Victoria (H)

Chris Rawlinson is keeping his focus on the next game – but he admits it would be a ‘travesty’ for Spalding United to throw away a play-off spot.

The Tulips boss believes a top-five finish should only be seen as an achievement if they get out of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s First Division South.

They are currently in third spot with 10 games to go and a 10-point gap from sixth-placed AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

A home victory against Witton Albion on Saturday would put Spalding level on points with the Cheshire club who are aiming to stay in the championship race.

Rawlinson said: “This is the first game between us after last week’s postponement so we are not coming into it on the back of a win, draw or loss.

“We might have to change our philosophy and play a more expansive game.

“However, Witton are the sort of side who will pick you off and take chances if it’s too open.

“Their ratio of goals per chances is very high so we have to be mindful of that.

“We know Witton are a good side. We are at home and we have to use that to our advantage.

“During the past week since we played, Newcastle Town, Leek Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds have dropped points. There is a huge gap, though I won’t call it a cushion as that sounds more comfortable.

“It’s up to us now to ensure we get a play-off place. Right now, it would be a travesty if we didn’t get in. But we have to take one game at a time.

“It would be criminal to throw it away from this position with the players we have got and the investment which people have put into the club.

“Last year we seemed to think it was a big achievement at Lincoln United when we got into the play-offs from where we had come from.

“This season, Spalding’s achievement must be getting promoted.”

Seb Hayes is worried about the level of performance which Holbeach United will produce on Saturday.

Even the Tigers’ website called them Jekyll and Hyde after one of their best displays of the season brought a 2-0 home win over Eynesbury Rovers last month.

That followed a dismal 3-1 defeat at Kirby Muxloe which forced Hayes to criticise the squad’s inconsistency.

So which side of the Tigers’ personality will be on show at Wellingborough Town’s Dog & Duck this weekend?

Holbeach boss Hayes said: “I’m worried about it because we won a couple of games then we had the match against Cogenhoe United called off and we lost at Kirby Muxloe.

“I’m mindful that in terms of the result and performance we looked sluggish.

“After beating Eynesbury, we had a really good training session and the lads were buzzing.

“Unfortunately, the game at Peterborough Northern Star was called off last Friday night when both clubs were looking forward to playing in front of a big crowd.

“The players had all made arrangements for a weekend off so the postponement has scuppered our plans going into the next game at Wellingborough.

“It certainly wasn’t ideal having a week off on the back of a good result.

“The attitude, application and desire from the players against Eynesbury showed that they wanted to put it right from the Kirby Muxloe game.

“We had to be up for it against a good side who can destroy teams. I thought we were brilliant on the day.

“But we haven’t been like that often enough with the quality in our squad. They should be putting in good performances week in, week out. I don’t want to see those standards once every three or four weeks.

“We know Wellingborough are a proper UCL side – big, strong and physical. They can get the ball down and hurt you as well.

“If we play like we did at home to Eynesbury then we will feel confident.

“But if we play like we did at Kirby Muxloe then it will be a walk in the park for Wellingborough.”

Tommy Treacher and Ollie Pinner will miss Saturday’s game.

Treacher has a recovery plan to repair nerve damage in his hamstring.

Pinner is unavailable for the trip to the Dog & Duck – although he is also trying to overcome a hernia issue.

Hayes said: “Treacher’s in a lot of pain and he could be out for anything from a week to a month.

“Pinner declared himself fit as he’s very keen to play. But we have picked up a few injuries in the squad and we don’t any want long-term problems going into next season.”

Numbers were well up this year for the senior citizens’ party that has been a popular fixture in Quadring for the last 68 years.

Originally started by the Christian organisation, Toc H, the party these days is run by a dedicated committee.

Committee secretary Michael Featherstone said: “We had one of the best turnouts we have had for a long while – 121 people came and we normally get around 100.”

Guests tucked into a meal of hot roast turkey, provided by Tulipland Butchers, of Donington, and enjoyed entertainment from Norfolk vocalist Carolann, who did a couple of sets.

“I think everybody really enjoyed it, from what I understand,” said Michael.

A raffle helps fund the party and it is normally drawn just before Christmas.

Michael said this time the raffle was drawn at the party by the oldest male and female guests, Ken Fulford (88) and Sonia Pacey (94).

There were 29 prizes with a first prize of £175 cash.

The party used to be held in January but after some really bad snow five or six years ago it was switched to March so more people could attend.

Crowland Parish Council has responded to public interest by tidying up an area of land near housing built in the 1970s.

At the council’s March parish meeting, it was revealed that “eight trolley loads of vegetation” had been removed from land in Ambury Gardens, off the B1040 Postland Road.

Coun Reg Boot, chairman of the council’s Farms and Gardens Committee, said: “There was one complication in that there was an oil tank and a pipeline through all 57 developments when they completed in the early 1970s.

“For whatever reason, the tank system became redundant and was therefore removed.

“Then our workers have been in and removed eight trolley loads of vegetation which has made a vast difference to that area of land.”

However, Coun Boot confirmed that work was still needed on 11 conifer trees at the site and ownership of the land had still to be established.

He said: “In some cases, we’ve found out that the council has been responsible for maintaining the land after looking at old documents held by the parish council.

“But it’s not uncommon for developers to finish projects and end up with small parcels of land which are then signed over to the council.”

Bargain hunters were out in force this morning (Friday) for the start of Hills Department Store’s £1.65million stock disposal sale.

Around 50 people gathered in front of the South Holland Centre in Spalding Market Place to wait for the department store doors to open at 10am.

Hills superfan Paula Diamanti was one of the first on the scene and was happy to spare a few moments to chat.

She told us: “I warn you, when those doors open I am bolting.

“Hills have always had the most wonderful selection of clothing, at all prices, and beautifully chosen.”

Paula divides her time between Spalding and London but thinks Hills is the tops, preferring to shop in Spalding rather than the city.

“It’s such a huge asset to this town,” said Paula. “I have been in Spalding for two-and-a-half years and I have always done my shopping here. This is just how a department store should be.”

Paula, a retired secretary to the ambassador at the Japanese embassy in London, also loves kitchenware and linens at Hills, and says it’s the perfect place for buying Christmas and birthday presents.

She spends weekdays in Spalding and weekends in London, but says: “London is big and just to come here where everything is under one roof is marvellous.”

Hills grand sale, with up to 70 per cent off ticket prices, continues tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday.

The stock clearance will make way for new stock, new departments and new displays.

There are big bargains across all departments, including ladies’ fashion, menswear, schoolwear, the perfumery, kitchenware, china, glass, bed linen and gifts.

Broadgate Homes will be one of many companies exhibiting at the Help to Buy Roadshow in Lincoln on Saturday.

The roadshow brings together a whole host of housing professionals to help you unlock your buying potential and get onto the property ladder.

With new house builders, mortgage advisors and solicitors available you’ll be able to increase your property knowledge and come away with lots of useful information.

The Help to Buy Midlands team will be on hand to tell you about the different home buying options that are available and how Help to Buy works. 

Exhibitors include house builders with new-build properties for sale through the Help to Buy Equity Loan and Shared Ownership schemes, and financial advisors who will be providing free mortgage assessments and advice throughout the day.

There will also be solicitors on hand to guide you through the conveyancing process.

Broadgate Homes will be offering Help to Buy two, three and four-bedroom houses in Coningsby, Boston and Spalding with properties starting from as little as £107,200 for an 80 per cent share.

The roadshow is not just for first-time buyers, it’s also for people thinking about moving up the property ladder, or downsizing to a smaller place.

The Lincolnshire Help to Buy Roadshow will be at Country Assembly Rooms, 76 Bailgate, Lincoln, LN1 3AR from 10am to 4pm

Entry is free. Avoid the queues by registering for your free tickets today and get fast-track entry on arrival. Online registration is open at: www.helptobuymidlands.co.uk/roadshow

Further information is available on the Help to Buy Midlands website www.helptobuymidlands.co.uk or by calling Help to Buy Midlands on 03458 502050 and selecting option 2.

The following decisions have been made by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Addresses of defendants published here are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts. V/S means victim surcharge.

Boston Magistrates’ Court

February 8

Sergiu Nica (28), of Surfleet Road, Surfleet. Drink driving (Spalding). £230 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Artur Leontjev (42), of NFA. Possession of amphetamine and cannabis, had in a public place an article which had a blade or was sharply pointed, namely a knife and theft of helmet, ear defenders, visor, belt, Alan key and tape belonging to unknown person (Spalding). Community order with drug rehabilitation requirement, rehabilitation activity requirement, £85 v/s, drugs and knife to be destroyed.

February 13

David Freeman (28), of Dennis Estate, Kirton. Fished or took fish otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Wyberton). £260 fine, £30 v/s, £127.47 costs.

Armands Rutkovskis (20), of South Parade, Spalding. Failed to comply with the requirements of a community order. Order to continue, £150 fine.

Sam Thomas (27), of Sherwood Avenue, Boston. Five counts of exposing genitals intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress (Long Sutton, Fleet Hargate, Boston). Community order with 200 hours unpaid work, curfew requirement, take part in community sex offender group work programme, rehabilitation activity requirement, requirement to register with the police in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act for five years, £85 v/s, £85 costs.

February 14

Raymond Loades (55), of Saxon Road, Eastfield, Peterborough. Speeding (Whaplode). £40 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Sean Ward (36), Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Resisting a police officer (Boston). 12 months conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £400 costs.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

February 7

Sylwester Ladziak (24), of Tiber Court, Spalding. Speeding (Whaplode). £68 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Geoffrey Little (65), of Drayton Road, Swineshead. Speeding (Leverton). £40 fine, £30 v/s, £40 costs, 3pts.

Dennis Lukonge (26), of Dockings Holt, Long Sutton. No insurance (Kirton). £660 fine, £77 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and no MOT.

Ashley Miller (25), of Princes Street, Sutton Bridge. No insurance (Sutton Bridge). £770 fine, £77 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and no MOT.

Joab Rusike (31), of Tangmere Drive, Birmingham. Speeding (Whaplode). £120 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Piotr Zalewski (24), of Clarke Court, Wyberton. Speeding (Boston). £60 fine, £30 v/s, £60 costs, 3pts.

Kelly Cheshire (31), of Highstock Lane, Gedney Hill. Speeding (Long Sutton). £40 fine, £30 v/s, £40 costs, 3pts.

Mark Coulter (56), of Main Street, Balderton, Notts. Carried passengers in a vehicle being such that danger was caused or was likely to be caused to any person in or on it or on a road (Deeping St James). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs.

Zoltan Csorsz (28), of Prince of Wales Close, Wisbech. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £133 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Miroslaw Farkas (33), of Park Road, Spalding. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

David Fennell (49), of Torbay Road, London. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

February 8

Keith Taylor (50), of Cranswick Close, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £80 fine, £20 v/s, 3pts.

February 9

Ann Andrews (60), of Hospital Drove, Long Sutton. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts

Kamil Fatyga (32), of Patriot Close, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Mihaela Hotu (25), of Bear Lane, Pinchbeck. Driving without due care and attention (Spalding). £200 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Mariusz Kogut (31), of Rider Gardens, Fishtoft. Speeding (Whaplode). £110 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Nicola Marshall (43), of Wargate Way, Gosberton. Failed to give driver ID. £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts

Laura Murphy (37), of Glenfield Close, Outwell. Speeding (Little Sutton). £40 fine, £30 v/s, £30 costs, 3pts.

Georgina Scotney (38), of Austerby, Bourne. No insurance (Bourne). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Edgars Zogota (31), of Langley Mews, Kirton. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts

February 10

Georgia Waters (20), of Clarkson Avenue, Cowbit. No insurance (Cowbit). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £45 costs, 6pts.

February 13

James Winter (18), of Princess Road, Kirton. Had in a public place an offensive weapon, namely a 25inch sharpened sword (Swineshead). Community order with rehabilitation activity, £85 v/s, £85 costs, sword to be destroyed.

February 14

Evaldas Laukys (27), of Angelica Drive, Spalding. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts

Jimmy Lavender (25), of Queensway, Long Sutton. Speeding (Long Sutton). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Tiberiu Cristu (30), of Fulbridge Road, New England, Peterborough. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Chris Dear (38), of Salts Road, West Walton. Speeding (Tydd Gote). £100 fine, £30 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Roshna Moosavi (27), of Neston Gardens, Leicester. Speeding (Tydd Gote). £40 fine, £30 v/s, 3pts.

Santa Claus had a final but important engagement following his Chirstmas sleigh run organised by the Rotary Club of Holbeach.

The sleigh had five trips before Christmas, accompanied on different nights by walkers from Holbeach Scouts, Whaplode Playing Field Association, Moulton Brownies, Long Sutton Scouts and Holbeach Air Cadets.

A grand total of £2,690 was collected and each group was presented with a cheque for the sum they picked up on their individual runs.

Club president Nanette Chapman said: “What we do is help people who need to raise money to raise it.”

The Rotary Club of Holbeach is one of the smallest in the country with just eight members but still manages to raise thousands for good causes.

To join, please call Nanette on 07549 042482.

Eurovia UK has been selected as the preferred contractor to improve the current A17/A151 junction by installing a new, three-arm roundabout, as well as a new four-arm roundabout on the A151.

Lincolnshire County Council says the British construction firm is expected to start work on year-long the scheme at Holbeach this spring.

The £5.4m scheme will not only improve the safety of the current junction, but it will provide access to residential land to the east of the A151 and open up development land to the west of the A151 for the creation of Peppermint Park, Holbeach: A Food Enterprise Village, which will include a Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) and the delivery of approximately 900 new homes.

County and district councillor Nick Worth said: “I am delighted that after many years of personally championing the need for this major road improvement, first highlighted in the Holbeach Parish Plan as long ago as 2008, it is finally going to happen. It is very exciting and a huge boost for the future economy of Holbeach, linking, as it does, to highly skilled jobs in the upcoming Food Enterprise Zone.”

Coun Richard Davies, executive member for county highways, said: “When complete, these improvements will not only create a safer route for drivers and less traffic in the town centre, but they’ll also provide access to development land for housing and the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone.

“Now that we’ve identified Eurovia to carry out the highway works, we look forward to formally appointing them after formal evaluation and breaking ground on site in May.”

The FEZ will be located next to the A17 and A151 and is designed to support agri-food businesses, with a particular focus on the food technology sector. When complete, the multi-million pound development will create around 59,000sq m of new business space, capable of supporting over 2,000 jobs. The University of Lincoln has outline planning consent to move part of its existing Holbeach campus to a new, purpose-built facility within the FEZ.

Coun Colin Davie, county executive member for economic development, said: “The food sector, particularly agri-food and food manufacturing, are of enormous importance to Greater Lincolnshire – it’s our third biggest sector and contributes £2.5 billion every year to the area’s economy. By developing land for the South Lincolnshire FEZ, we want to support existing businesses, while also attracting those interested in investing and relocating to the county.”

TRISH TAKES FIVE: By Trish Burgess

One of my favourite childhood authors died last month. Dick Bruna started writing the Miffy books in the early 1960s but the little rabbit has continued to be adored by children today.

My earliest memory of school was being asked to read Miffy in the Snow to my headmistress. As a reward I was given three gold stars and could choose a huge, glossy, boiled sweet she kept in a large jar on her desk. I do wonder now at the wisdom of offering five-year-olds cavity-inducing choking 
hazards full of e-numbers.

Last week my Facebook timeline was full of adorable kiddies dressed up as their favourite book characters for World Book Day. Would I have dressed up as Miffy if this event had been around in my day or are there other contenders?

The Cat in the Hat is a favourite World Book Day choice. I loved reading all the Dr Seuss books but I wasn’t a huge fan of this one. I found it too stressful to think about the mess he created and I longed for the children’s mother to come back early to give Thing One and Thing Two a piece of her mind. Though what was the mother thinking; leaving two young children alone for that length of time with just a goldfish as a babysitter?

I preferred to read Green Eggs and Ham as I could relate to the story of Sam-I-Am trying to ply his peculiar dish onto someone who keeps refusing it. This was not unlike my own mother’s efforts to get my brother to eat vegetables. She didn’t try ‘in a boat’ or ‘with a goat’ but her landscapes of tilled mashed potato fields and forests of peas were certainly impressive.

In the same collection of Beginner Books, Are You My Mother? by PD Eastman told the tale of a little bird who had fallen out of his nest and was searching for his lost mother. Eventually he is scooped up by a digger, aka The Snort, and deposited back in the nest just as his mum returns. I used to cry at this story but now I read it and think, what is it with these irresponsible mothers who keep disappearing?

Another weepy was Charlotte’s Web by EB White, about the little pig, Wilbur, and his spider friend. 
Despite having a fear of spiders, I remember telling my family, through big gulping sobs, that Charlotte had died. It might not have cured my arachnophobia but from then on I learned to respect the little blighters and I now fling them into the garden using the upturned cup and piece of card method.

So what character would I have chosen for World Book Day? A rabbit in a dress? A lost bird? A clever spider? No, these costumes would be far too complicated. I’d be Darrell Rivers from Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers. School uniform and a lacrosse stick. Job done.

• You can read Trish’s blog at www.mumsgoneto.co.uk

WARD’S WORLD: By John ward

I was watching something recently on the flat screen wonder called television that interrupted the adverts every so many minutes but seeing the bits and mentally sticking them together from memory – I believe this process was originally called a ‘programme’ – and the reason I am boring you so far is the fact a person within said segments/programme came over as ‘bit of a character’ which in today’s world is saying something as by the time you get interested in them, they just disappear without leaving a forwarding address for their cooking or baking kit to be sent on to them.

This brings us around into the world of characters, people not letters or numbers, and why I think there is a real lack of them and I really don’t know what the reason is for the shortage as in the usual standbys of blaming anything or anyone with the most popular choices seem to be: ‘You can’t get the wood anymore’ (the planet saver’s delight) or ‘It’s all down to the last government’ (a keen and popular one when stuck for ideas) or Plan R being a double barrelled choice or option: ‘It’s the rain we have had of late’ or ‘We have not had any rain of late’.

Just put a tick in one box for your choice above and we will sort it out later.

In the flow of things I recently heard that a friend of my mum’s, the incredible Monica as in Our Mon, had passed on but as it was a little while ago now, it would have been nice to have attended her Service, as I feel sure it would have been quite something and by that I mean an experience if her life was anything to go by as she was indeed a real 100 per cent ‘character’.

Our Mon and my mum, she of the people for the people, could have been twins other than for the fact they had different mums at different times: Mon entered the world at two thirty in the early morning as opposed to mum, who had little say in the matter, at six twenty two in the evening, just missing the weather forecast on the radio by about eight minutes she said, and a mere difference of seven years between them, give or take the odd leap year that was included for good measure, so nearly twins then.

Mon was so ‘on the ball’ as she was quite adept at first hand news and in some cases, knew about it before it happened but to be fair she did have ‘inside information’ when her daughter Sandra was getting married so we can’t count that one really.

When their doctor retired, Mon picked up on this before mum as it was in the local newspapers but to be fair, mum was confused as she actually saw the article with the photo but had not read it and she did explain that the reason she did not read it was she didn’t recognise the photo of their very own doctor as it was of somebody smiling and as she pointed out, in the entire time she had been to see him over many years, not once had he ever smiled and therefore how was she to know or recognise him as she did not know he went in for smiling.

Mum was quite taken by this news however as she asked Mon if any of the other patients had organised a whip-round or a collection to get him something as a gesture of their esteem for him as they were obviously still able to keep going, medically wise, without his input of course but to show they cared.

Mon replied she had no idea but in the newspaper article, the medical centre staff at the practice where he, well, practiced, had brought him an engraved watch but mum said that was a bit late as he should have had that from day one so everybody might have got in to see him at their booked appointment time instead of some bizarre ‘Think of a number’ game and ‘Last one in to see him was a sissy’ type of thing.

Then mum asked the obvious and Mon had no idea as to who his replacement would be but assumed ‘They have a sort of medical version of the ‘Exchange & Mart’ that they bung wanted adverts in to attract/trap skilled medical staff and the like’.

Mum nodded and muttered that she hoped that didn’t get anyone who smiled a lot or have a name that didn’t exceed over eleven letters otherwise it would mess up the brass name plates on the ‘welcome’ board just inside the reception entrance as nobody on the practice had a name longer than ten letters or it might be considered by some patients to be some form of favouritism.

Mon pointed out that one or two on the ‘other’ practice in the town had doctor’s names that sounded like landing strips in far flung desert regions or even places in foreign parts abroad.

She said that she once saw a lady doctor that was on holiday cover and she asked Mon about her ‘bowel movements and were they regular?’ to which Mon replied that she only bothered getting fresh fruit in if she was having guests and it always went on the unit in the lounge or on odd occasions on the kitchen table, but in the same bowel each time as it depended on if they were her or ‘his lot’ as in her husband’s relations who they were expecting as nobody at home was really that keen on fruit and one can only imagine the doctor’s thoughts on getting this response, regardless of whether they be named after a far flung landing strip.

Mon, apart from being a housewife (semi professional, black belt for ironing and baking) and soothsayer (self elected, Grade 1, with honours), also dabbled in assorted part time jobs due to her early career culinary training and had got a job in a local ‘take-away’ establishment that was about to start up in business, that has since closed many years ago, and it was quite an adventure when she popped in to see or rather tell mum she was starting her new role in the kitchen area in this new establishment that was a mere five minutes walk away, so quite convenient.

It was just opening up and it was called the ‘Three Seasons’ and mum being mum asked why three seasons as we have four normally. Mon explained that the owner went on holiday to his home in Cyprus for a few months to see his parents, family and friends etc. so he was only open for nine or thereabouts months of the year, hence ‘Three Seasons’.

Together, mum and Mon were a formidable force and to see them out shopping was something akin to the world of fantasy and in today’s world their antics would have spawned at least one blockbuster film and three sequels and an offer on tins of biscuits.

I’m delighted that Paul Walls (Free Press, February 14) is so keenly interested in the 18th century statesman Edmund Burke – one of my political 
heroes. So I want, in response, to explain Burke’s legacy.

Burke’s work has informed the intellectual backbone of much of modern conservatism. His reverence of tradition, commitment to private property and respect for the institutions which shape our nation are thoroughly conservative values. His ‘little platoons’ – the associations, clubs and volunteer groups across our villages and towns which comprise the fabric of civil life – can be seen now, as they were then, as the receptacle of the collective wisdom of the ages.

Burke’s understanding of representative democracy and the role of Parliamentarians was prescient given today’s 
internet-driven notion that MPs should become mere delegates – essentially instruments which should bend to the will of whoever shouts the loudest for longest.

His views, though, must be understood in the context of the time they were nurtured. He was writing about nationhood when today’s European Union – with its ambitions to be a superstate, presuming sovereignty over many of our laws, and run by unelected, unaccountable Eurocrats – was inconceivable.

I’m puzzled by Paul’s view that MPs should have tried to block Britain’s exit from the EU. Does he feel MPs should have overturned the wishes of the people? The referendum was far from ‘advisory’ because the say the Government gave Britons on our EU membership came with a clearly stated promise to implement the decision.

Edmund Burke did indeed believe ‘the people are the masters’. The people, last June 23, voted in a fair and free referendum decisively to leave the EU. A decision that – were he alive today – I am sure Burke would respect, regardless of whether he agreed with it or not.

I wonder if the same could be said of the referendum deniers. Knowing Paul Walls well, I am confident that he is too thoughtful to be amongst them.

A haulage firm is paying tribute to one of its former lorry driving instructors by raising awareness of the disease that claimed his life.

Andrew Grantham (50), from Spalding, died in July 2014 after battling motor neurone disease (MND) for 17 months.

His widow, Julie (49), wants more people to know about MND and the association raising money to try to find a cure.

She spoke to Turners (Soham) Ltd, which has depots in Quadring and Donington, and Andy Woods arranged for MND livery to go on the back of one of the trailers.

Julie, a receptionist at Spalding’s Johnson Community Hospital, said: “Everybody knows about cancer but nobody knows about MND.”

Early symptoms of the fatal illness can be slight or easily attributed to other things and Julie, says, Andrew’s illness was at first attributed to sciatica.

She said: “Andrew was diagnosed with MND in February 2013. He went from being really active to being in a wheelchair within five months and me doing everything for him.”

Despite Andrew’s devastating diagnosis, the couple married in Antigua in May 2013. “We just decided that was what we wanted to do,” said Julie. “We had been together for four years then.”

The couple crammed in as many holidays as they could and raised money for the MND Association.

Julie said: “There’s no cure for MND and you have got to do what you can while you can if you have been diagnosed.”

MND attacks motor nerves or neurons in the brain and spinal cord, killing just under 2,200 people every year in the UK.

A Bourne-based family shoe firm has walked off with its sixth national award in just six years.

North Shoes, who have traded from North Street since 1876, are celebrating after being named men’s independent retailer of the year at the prestigious Footwear Industry Awards 2017.

Store manager Ryan Clements made it a golden double by beating off hundreds of rivals to be named Society of Shoe Fitters (SSF) Student of the Year.

It’s the third time North Shoes have won the men’s independent retailer of the year accolade and delighted managing director James North – the fifth generation at the helm of the business – said: “It’s an honour to win this award three years in a row and it shows how much dedication to offering a quality fitting service for men can bring your business.

“I’m really chuffed for Ryan – he’s put hours of hard work into his SSF course. He’s a credit to the company and the North Shoes family.”

Ryan, who has only been managing the Bourne store for a year, said: “I feel incredibly proud. The SSF had their biggest intake of students this year and there were literally hundreds who could have been up for the award.

“It took me a year to complete the course alongside my job.

“It’s a great achievement, but my family, friends and James and the team at North Shoes have been fantastic and really supportive.”

Ryan is not resting on his laurels. After learning all elements of shoe construction, fitting and foot health through the SSF course he’s now training as a foot health practitioner and added: “I love my career.”

North Shoes, who have stores in Peterborough, Stamford and Cambridge, were also shortlisted in the ladies’ independent retailer and independent family retailer categories and Cambridge branch manager Paul Luesby was shortlisted for personality of the year.

The Footwear Industry Awards were launched in 2012 to honour good practice and in addition to their three men’s independent retailer successes, North Shoes have also won the independent family retailer and ladies’ independent retailer crowns since 2012.

This year’s awards were presented at a gala night at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.

Stevie Wonder’s 1984 bestseller “I Just Called To Say I Love You” could have been written for Spalding couple Dave (80) and Jean Allen (79).

The gardening and fly fishing couple never forget to remind each other of their undying love for each other, exactly 60 years after they became husband and wife at St Paul’s Church, Fulney, in Spalding.

Jean said: “I was 15 years and 11 months old when Dave first started courting me.

“My sister had a snack bar in Holbeach where I used to help her and, at the time, Dave was going out with someone else.

“But eventually we got together and, apart from hospital visits, we’ve never, ever been split up.”

Dave, ex-manager of the former Visionhire/Granada TV store in Station Street, Spalding, for 40 years, said: “The first Christmas we were together, I asked Jean to marry me but we had to wait until I finished my National Service in February 1957.

“We got married in March 1957 and one of the things we’ve always done since then is to say ‘I love you’ to each other, not just once but two or three times a day.”

Jean added: “We do everything together and we’re always busy in the garden.”

Dave and Jean intend to have a quiet anniversary day before their three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren join them for a family get-together on Saturday.

But there might also be time for a trip to West Deeping’s Kingfisher Fly Fishing Club where Dave is secretary/treasurer.

Jean said: “I didn’t fish at first but then Dave took me with him to the club when I was 60.

“It took me a year to learn how to fly fish and when I did, our son said ‘other women who are 60 start knitting and crocheting, but my mum starts fly fishing’.”

Spring is nearly upon us and, after a weather delay, we hope to start sowing spring wheat, sugar beet, peas and potatoes, as well as applying crop protection products and fertiliser, writes Stafford Proctor.

Glyphosate is a broad spectrum systemic herbicide. It is widely used on farms, on railway and road verges, in private gardens and public spaces. It has been safely used for over 40 years and is safer than most domestic cleaners and less toxic than coffee.

Glyphosate could be described as one of the four key pillars of local agriculture – men, land, machines and glyphosate.

So why are farmers and custodians of the countryside engaged in a battle to ban glyphosate at an EU vote in December?

Regulatory bodies across the globe have studied the scientific evidence and concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to pose human health risk when used correctly.

Green lobby groups have fallen upon the banning of glyphosate and widely share their views through mainstream and social media.

The loss of glyphosate would be disastrous for farmland. Farms would revert to mechanical weeding and additional cultivation for weed control. This would damage earth worms, insects, ground nesting birds and small mammals. More tractors would be needed, burning more fuel and generating more CO2. Some farmland would be unviable.

Food costs would rise and the ability to provide enough food for our country would be questionable.

Critical, potentially disastrous decisions for our countryside must be based on science and not on emotions and untruths.

The long list of men from South Holland dying at the front continued to grow in 1917.

Pte F L Durrant, of Lutton Marsh, and Lance-Corpl E D Thorold, of Weston (both pictured above) had paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Many of the men who died were very young, such as 22-year-old Pte Ezra Waite, of the Grange Farm, Gosberton Risegate, and 19-year-old Gunner Frederick Victor Rose, of Tydd.

Frederick had only joined the army on February 1, but contracted fever on February 25 and had subsequently died in hospital. Before joining the Royal Field Artillery he had worked for Mr J Retchless, at Tydd. His brother, Driver C Rose, was in the Royal Garrison Artillery.